CIF puts three in preseason poll

Corona del Mar, Newport Harbor and Costa Mesa earn top 10 rankings to open girls’ water polo season.Three area teams were ranked in the CIF Southern Section girls’ water polo preseason polls, released this week.

Corona del Mar, the defending Division II champions, will open the season in the division’s top spot. Newport Harbor was the No. 2 team in Division I, and Costa Mesa was ranked No. 9 in Division VI.

The Southern Section also released its preseason rankings for wrestling, but no area schools were listed.

The Sea Kings will be seeking their fifth consecutive division title and their fourth consecutive Division II crown. Their closest competitor figures to be Laguna Beach, which lost to Corona del Mar, 9-5, in last year’s championship. The Breakers are ranked No. 2.

Newport Harbor found itself in a familiar place, looking up at Sea View League rival Foothill. The Knights defeated the Sailors for the Division I title last season and are the preseason No. 1 team.

The Sailors will also have to deal with league foe Laguna Hills, which is ranked No. 9 to open the season.

Costa Mesa was a quarterfinalist in Division VI last season. Downey, the defending Division VI champion, is ranked No. 1 to open this season, followed by runner-up Corona Centennial.

Also ranked in the Division VI top 10 are Golden West League foes Saddleback (No. 7) and Orange (No. 10).

The girls’ water polo season begins Monday, but most area teams won’t begin games until later in the week.